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#451
01-18-2007, 01:24 PM
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 From Publishers Weekly Theater manager Santopietro writes a decorous, dry analysis of "überdiva" Barbra Streisand, examining five decades of recordings, concerts, film, theater and politics. He analyzes Streisand as a "walking mass of contradictions," parsing those paradoxes through critical readings of her professional and personal gambits. Just as Streisand's "Brooklyn-ese" fades from her rich singing voice, so her stage and studio persona—tightly controlled—masks a diffidence in the limelight that just feeds her fans' interest. For these folks, the seminal sound bites of her career, from "Hello, gorgeous" to "So long, dearie," constitute the narrative's few flashes of energy, evoking Streisand in more glory than can be conveyed here. Santopietro astutely embeds his subject in cultural context to underscore her zeitgeist appeal; her brash urgency and in-your-face ethnicity, epitomized in "the nose," endears her to those out of the mainstream, including feminists and gays, and, in the '60s, augured the demise of pre-Vietnam dormancy. A prototype of postmodern celebrity, Streisand cultivated her own image, embellishing her "ugly duckling" myth through autobiographical roles. The author's discerning, nuanced critiques of Streisand's works depict a career of subtle evolution not without its setbacks, shedding welcome light on her uneven reception over the years. But his scholarly cant will perplex readers expecting a juicier read. Photos. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review Rosellen Brewer Library Journal : Santopietro, Tom. The Importance of Being Barbra. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. Jun. 2006. c.256p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-34879-7 [ISBN 978-0-312-34879-3]. $22.95. MUSIC There is no doubt that Barbra Streisand has enjoyed one of the greatest show business careers of all time. But with countless biographies of the songstress already in print, why add another one to the collection? This book by Streisand's ultimate fan, theater manager Santopietro, is different, less a biography than an analysis of the star's recordings, films, theatrical career, television appearances, and concerts. Though occasionally over the top (he calls Streisand "Babs"), Santopietro holds strong opinions on all things Streisand that are usually right on. He observes her successes as well as her bloopers, e.g., what was she thinking with A Star Is Born? Only one thing nags at the reader: who is this guy? Does having stage managed a couple dozen New York City shows give him the credentials to critique La Streisand? But anyone who ends an analysis such as this with a "career scorecard" grading each of her efforts is worth reading. Cheeky and essential to a well-rounded Streisand collection, this book is highly recommended for public and academic libraries alike.- Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA  By the way Jazzy...have you seen the dvd release of a star is born? The deleted scenes are very very cool to see. 
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#452
01-18-2007, 02:19 PM
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The Kite Runner....therefore I've been going to sleep completely depressed for three nights....
Also I'm going to start reading Roots.
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#453
01-18-2007, 02:22 PM
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#454
01-18-2007, 02:23 PM
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#456
01-18-2007, 07:54 PM
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#457
01-18-2007, 10:22 PM
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I don't read too much fiction. Over the holidays, I indulged myself in Courtney Love's "diary" book. It doesn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense, it's basically just random pages from her diary with very little commentary form her. There are some cool pictures and it does look pretty on my coffee table. I like the cover.
 I also bought Joe Eszterhas's new book, The Screenwriter's Guide To Hollywood or something like that which is an execise in suckage. I liked his last couple of books but this one blows and I don't want to read about how he banged Sharon Stone (again).
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#459
01-26-2007, 02:46 AM
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The Bible....
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#461
01-26-2007, 10:20 AM
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#463
01-26-2007, 06:39 PM
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I burned through Kite Runner - which was very good but incredibly depressing...I really liked it.
Now I'm reading Roots...and can't take my usual million years to read it as it's a library book - it's pretty good so far!
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#464
01-26-2007, 08:37 PM
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How does one even live in Ohio??? 
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#465
01-26-2007, 08:41 PM
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